14th July 2026
The first Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax filing deadline is almost here.
If you’re a sole trader or landlord now within the MTD regime, your first quarterly update must be submitted to HMRC by 7 August 2026, covering the period from 6 April to 5 July 2026.
For many taxpayers, this marks the first time they’ll submit information to HMRC under the new digital reporting system. If you haven’t yet prepared your records or set up compatible software, now is the time to act.
What is the 7 August Deadline?
Since 6 April 2026, eligible sole traders and landlords have been required to keep digital records and report their income to HMRC every quarter using compatible software.
The 7 August 2026 deadline is the first quarterly submission under the new rules and covers the first three months of the tax year.
Unlike the old Self Assessment process, where information was submitted once a year, MTD requires more regular reporting to HMRC throughout the year.
Who Needs to Submit?
You must comply with Making Tax Digital if you:
- Are a sole trader and/or landlord.
- Have qualifying income of more than £50,000 from self-employment and property combined.
If your income is below this threshold, MTD may still affect you in the future:
- From April 2027 – qualifying income over £30,000
- From April 2028 – qualifying income over £20,000
What Needs to Be Submitted?
For your quarterly update, you’ll need to ensure:
- Your income and expenses have been recorded digitally.
- Your bookkeeping is up to date.
- Your records are maintained using HMRC-compatible software.
- Your quarterly update is submitted to HMRC by 7 August 2026.
It’s important to remember that this submission does not replace your year-end tax obligations. You’ll still need to complete the end-of-year process, but MTD introduces quarterly reporting throughout the year.
What Happens if You Miss the Deadline?
Failing to comply with Making Tax Digital requirements could result in:
- Late submission penalties.
- Increased administrative work.
- Unnecessary stress trying to catch up with your records.
- Potential interest and penalties if inaccuracies arise.
Preparing early makes the process much smoother and helps ensure you’re meeting your obligations correctly.
How THL Can Help
If you’re feeling unsure about the new requirements, you’re not alone. Many business owners and landlords are navigating Making Tax Digital for the first time.
At THL Accountancy, we can help by:
- Confirming whether MTD applies to you.
- Reviewing your bookkeeping.
- Setting you up with HMRC-approved accounting software.
- Completing your quarterly submissions on your behalf.
- Providing ongoing support throughout the year.
- Ensuring you stay fully compliant with HMRC’s latest requirements.
Our aim is to take the stress out of Making Tax Digital so you can focus on running your business.
Don’t Leave It Until the Last Minute
With the first MTD quarterly filing deadline on 7 August 2026, now is the time to make sure everything is in place.
If you haven’t yet started preparing—or you’d simply like peace of mind that everything has been completed correctly—our team is here to help.
Contact THL Accountancy today to ensure your first Making Tax Digital submission is completed accurately and on time.